Sunday Morning Bike Ride- Fernleigh Track - Hamilton to Whitebridge

Brief description: This is a free leisurely social guided bike ride at a slow, relaxed pace of 15km/hr on the flat. 20km return. Starting/finishing at Gregson Park, Hamilton, we cycle to Whitebridge and stop for morning tea at a cafe, before cycling back. This is a lovely route showcasing a quick, easy and low-traffic route from Hamilton to the beautiful Fernleigh Track.

8am start to beat the heat.

You can choose to meet us at Adamstown Station: be there at 8:35am and you won’t miss us. When you register, you will be asked if you are starting at Adamstown.

Max 15 spots. No children. New members welcome :) Any questions, don't hesitate.

This is a welcoming group, where we ride slowly, just enjoying using a bike to get from A to B, while learning the city's quiet routes, and hopefully helping people to feel more confident to cycle around town.

• From Hamilton to Adamstown Station, we cycle along 5km of flat quiet streets & shared paths. We stick together for this section. I lead and someone rides at the back.

• Then from Adamstown to Whitebridge, we ride 5km of gentle uphill along the lovely bush-lined Fernleigh Track. Go at your own pace on the Fernleigh - slow or fast, it doesnt matter. We all regroup at Whitebridge. There is a bubbler and a toilet at Whitebridge.

.
Start & finish location: Gregson Park Playground, Hamilton, meet at the junction of Steel St & James St

Start time: arrive at 7:45am for a 8am start
Finish time: approx 11-11:30am

Cycling fitness level: very easy/easy/MEDIUM/hard/very hard

Topography: Hamilton to Adamstown is a flat Very Easy 5km ride. Adamstown to Whitebridge is 5km of uphill; while a fairly gentle incline, it a fair amountof uphill, requiring a Medium fitness level. Go at your own pace. We regroup at the top. The way back is then a Very Easy downhill.

Pace: slow, relaxed, 15km/hr on the flat
Approx return pedalling time: 1 hour 30 minutes

.
Suitable for: those who are new to riding a bike through to those who are experienced. No prior experience cycling on roads necessary.

You must be able to effectively: stop & start, pedal, steer, signal left & right, look over your shoulder to check for what's behind you, be always alert to upcoming hazards, & anticipate the behaviour of pedestrians/vehicles.

This ride shows:

• an easy quick route to Hunter Stadium, Kotara Westfield & the Fernleigh Track
• how to zig-zag through a suburb, along low-traffic streets, to create your own pleasant routes to get to work/shops/school
• how key cycling principles can improve your confidence and safety

.
Detailed route description
From Gregson Park we cycle to Broadmeadow Station via backstreets. We walk under the station, take Denney St to join the R5 shared path beside the stadium, left onto Turton Rd shared path, Jellicoe Pde, Mackie Av & the St James Rd shared path to Adamstown Station where the Fernleigh Track begins.
.
How we ride: I lead the ride. We stick together & ride in an alert, slow manner. Observe and practice safe city cycling principles. It's all about learning and building confidence, whilst enjoying the ride. We position ourselves to be very visible & keep a predictable trajectory/speed. We ride in single file, clear of the doorzone & of the mouths of side-streets. We frequently take primary position (claiming the lane) to prevent unsafe passes, to stay within the field of vision of drivers, & to turn right. We pass pedestrians slowly. You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

You’ll need:

• helmet
• bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
• bike lock/s, phone & opal card in case of puncture (a repair kit if you have one)
• water bottle - During Summer, for this route, I recommend bringing a litre. Stay hydrated!

.
Indemnity and release of liability
By participating in this activity you unconditionally indemnify the organiser/host against any and all claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, liabilities or other costs, whether present or future, relating to your participation and/or dealings with Bike About Town - Newcastle, including but not limited to, any accident, loss or damage to property or death or injury to any person.

Getting there
By Bike:

• https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding
• Bike About Town's Komoot account: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd
• or comment below to ask for a low-traffic route :)

By Train: Bikes travel free. Alight at Broadmeadow Station or Hamilton.
Car Parking: there is free on-street parking on surrounding streets.
.
If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation.

Bike About Town's Facebook: https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW